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"What! You interfering bitch! Did it never enter your greedy mind that I did not wish to take their pledges? How dared you?" |
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"Greedy?" Alinor shrieked, her sympathy swamped by renewed hurt and rage. "I am greedy? You took my jewels to give another woman, and you call me greedy! How have I interfered? You disgusting, inconsiderate animal! You defeated those men on the fieldand they are honest men, for they came to redeem their honorand you left them as if you thought them of no more worth than beaten, mangy curs. Are you the only man in the world with skill or pride?" |
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The real truth in Alinor's argument doused the more uncontrollable flames of Ian's wrath. He had not thought of how his action might appear from the point of view of the beaten men. He stood, clinging to a chair, panting with frustration and fatigue. "How could I take their pledges," he gasped. "How could I look any man in the face after what you have done?" |
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"What I had done?" Alinor repeated, totally at a loss. She could not imagine what Ian was talking about. "What have I done?" |
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"You have shamed me and dishonored me." His voice was trembling, and tears glittered in his eyes, magnifying their dark luster. "You have compounded with my opposition and bought my safety as if I were some feeble half-wit unable to defend myself." |
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"Half-wit!" Alinor exclaimed. "If you can say such a thing, you give yourself overmuch credit. You have not so much as half a wit." |
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"Do you mean to tell me you had no part in the action of those six knights who fell upon FitzWalter and de Quincy? Do you mean to deny that you were the 'enemy' who was buying knights to fight 'against' me?" |
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"No, I do not claim to be innocent of any such thing at all. There is nothing wrong with my wits, however addled yours may be." |
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